About Arad

City Highlights

Arad is an important city in western Romania, on the banks of the river Mures. It is an industrial centre and transportation hub, with connections to major European roads and railway routes. Arad features two universities, a Romanian Orthodox theological seminary, and a music conservatory. The city was first mentioned in documents in the 11th century, and was fortified during the Mongol invasion of the Kingdom of Hungary in 1241. Under the rule of the Habsburg Empire, a new fortress was built between 1763 and 1783, and played a great role in the Hungarian struggle for independence in 1849. The city has a museum containing relics of this war of independence. "New Arad" situated on the opposite bank of the Mures river, is a suburb connected by a bridge. The works erected by the Turks to capture the fortress of Arad in the 17th century formed the nucleus of the new settlement.

Arad has an important number of architectural monuments and historic buildings. The Administrative Palace
was built in renaissance style, while the Neuman Palace, the Judiciary Palace, or the National Bank Palace are a
fine example of eclecticism and neoclassical architecture. The Fortified Town of Arad, a Transylvanian fotress built
in the Vauban style, or the House with Cannon Balls, named after the seventeen cannon balls incorporated in its
walls, are remnants of the city's past. Arad also has Baroque style churches, such as the St. Simon Monastery and
the St. Peter and Paul Serbian Church, or the St. Anthony of Padua (Roman Catholic) Cathedral raised in 1904 in a
renaissance architecture style.

How to Get

Arad is an important transportation hub, being connected to European roads and railways. The city also
has an airport with flights to/from Bucharest and several cities in Italy and Germany. To get to the main city of
Arad, you could use the Arad airport transfer service.

Getting Around

Several bus and tram routes connect Arad's main areas and the tourist attractions. There is also the
option to rent a car using services offered by EuroCars.

Where to Stay

Due to the economic boom of the recent years and the increasing number of tourists, Arad has developed
many accommodation offers, such as hotels and hostels, or by renting short and long term apartments.

Where to Eat

Finding the appropiate dining place in Arad isn't difficult. A great number of restaurants and bars are
available, with many of them serving traditional Romanian specialties. There are also fast foods available, as well
as country specific restaurants.

Shopping

Arad has several shopping centres available throughout the city, and there are also available plenty of
places to buys souvenirs, the most common met being related to Romanian folk.

Entertainment/Nightlife

Apart from the ocasional events that take place in Arad, there is always a theatre or a cinema to go to
for entertainment, as well as art exhibitions. The nightlife in Arad has a lot to offer on its own. Arad has
something for everyone, like bars and clubs, discos, or even casinos.